India’s agricultural export promotion agency, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has confirmed through communications from the Environment Ministry and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) rice is prohibited in the country. This development assures the nation’s status free from GMOs when exporting rice.
In preparation to address China’s recent rejections of certain Indian shipments due to alleged GM contamination, APEDA has obtained guidance from regulatory authorities concerning GMO crops. Following a request for clarity made by APEDA on April 10, the Environment Ministry issued an office memorandum on April 28, stating that the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), responsible for GM crop regulation, has not approved any GM rice for cultivation in India.
The memorandum further noted that, per OM No 12013/3/2020-CS-III dated March 30, 2022, plants edited by genome techniques classified as SDN1 and SDN2, which do not contain exogenous DNA, are exempt from regulations outlined in the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells from 1989.
Additionally, ICAR’s Assistant Director-General S.K. Pradhan, in correspondence dated April 23, reiterated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has not endorsed any GM rice for commercial cultivation. Pradhan also affirmed that there is currently no research on GM rice being conducted within the National Agricultural Research System overseen by ICAR, emphasizing that all rice varieties in the Indian seed chain are non-GM. He recommended APEDA engage with GEAC for further details.
Published on April 29, 2026.
